"Substance: hip hop / funk / beats / jazz: established 1995" the Midlands' largest & longest running hip hop & beats night
"Substance: hip hop / funk / beats / jazz: established 1995" the Midlands' largest & longest running hip hop & beats night
In its twelve year history, Substance has gained critical acclaim as a boundary pushing club night. It's funk and soul influenced house band, Oversize, charismatic host, Mad Flow (Big Dada / Son Records) and resident DJs Chris Read (1Xtra) & Roc 1 (Tru School Antics) have defined the night's unique sound.
Over the years, the Substance stage has played host to the likes of Grand Master Flash, DJ Premier, KRS One, Masta Ace, Jeru the Damaja, Souls of Mischief, The Pharcyde, DJ Cash Money, Maseo of De La Soul, TY, Roots Manuva, Blak Twang, Soweto Kinch, Waajeed and countless others, attracting crowds of up to 1700 to witness the night's trademark mix of renowned guests and live improvisation.
Aside from guest performances, Substance has always prided itself on involving itself in the music it promotes on a wider level. Associated projects in which the night has been involved include live broadcasts on Radio 1 & BBC Radio 1 Xtra (including performances by the Substance Hip Hop Orchestra), the ground breaking 'Graffiti Bastards' exhibitions (amongst the first in the country to showcase artists such as Chu, Banksy, Req and others), the UK DMC Championships, the 8 Mile open mic contest, B Boy Cinema, the Lyrics of Fury sessions and a label project for leftfield label, Different Drummer.
"near legendary . a raucous night of experimentation that has had the music and style press fighting for superlatives" (METRO)
"never fully aware of its own proportions . committed artists and enthusiastic crowds make one thing certain, it will always be explosive" (BREAKIN POINT)
"fashionably eclectic . embraces those latched onto a more underground vibe" (I.D)
"an excellent session" (DJ MAGAZINE)
"disparate elements of hip hop, funk and jazz fused together for your delight" (REVOLVER)
"hard hitting hip hop and future funk that brings the house down" (CLUB ON)
"the finest underground hip hop beats" (SLEAZE NATION)
"proves that UK hip hop is definitely alive in the midlands" (BREAKIN POINT)
"a shining symbol of multi deck mayhem in the heart of a rainy city" (I.D)
"like so many of Chris Read's notorious Substance events . the temperature soared to boiling point" (FUSED)